Graduate Program
Kinesiology and Sports Studies
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2012
Thesis Director
Phyllis Croisant
Thesis Committee Member
Brian Pritschet
Thesis Committee Member
Richard Cavanaugh
Abstract
Household food insecurity (HFI), defined as limited access to nutritionally adequate foods, is associated with poor diet, which can increase the risk of obesity and health related problems (Kaiser, 2005; Brewer et al., 2010). It is one of the conditions that may adversely affect the normal development of children and adults. The highest level of food insecurity is defined as "hunger". The purpose of this study was to (a) assess the general level ofHFI in Eastern Illinois University (EIU) students, (b) examine the association between Physical Activity (PA) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in EIU students, (c) examine the association between HFI and BMI in EIU students, and ( d) examine the association between HFI and PA in EIU students. A total of 751 college students, 18-48 years of age, completed a survey consisting of demographic variables, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IP AQ) and the 6-item Household Food Security Module. It was found that 40.7% of the students sampled were classified as food insecure, including 17 .5% with hunger. The Chi-square test of independence did not detect any significant associations between (a) PA and students' BMI, (b) HFI and students' BMI, and (c) HFI and PA. However, self-reported physical and mental health were found to be significantly poorer in students with HFI. Demographic analysis revealed that the incidence ofHFI was significantly greater in black and Asian students than in white students. HFI was also significantly greater in full-time students than in part-time, was significantly lower in freshmen than in other classes, and was significantly higher in students residing in apartments than in dorms or with parents. The percentage of this sample who reported sufficient physical activity was higher than the national average. However, over 16% reported no physical activity at all. A majority of students were classified as normal weight, but almost 45% were in the overweight or obese categories. The prevalence of food insecurity among this sample of college students was approximately 2. 8 times the U.S. national average. Thus, the college student population represents a crucial target for implementing dietary and physical activity interventions to help this population live a healthier lifestyle.
Recommended Citation
Magoc, Tatjana, "Physical activity and household food insecurity as important predictors of health status in EIU students" (2012). Masters Theses. 844.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/844
